Love it / Live it: Elephant Love [Margot Bird + Cardboard Safari]

Happy Monday my friends! I've had a special place in my heart for elephants ever since my man and I traveled to Thailand a few years ago and they won my heart with their sweet, playful dispositions and tender eyes. There is just something about them, so large and fearless yet so warm and endearing that sort of takes your breath away. I love this painting by the fearless local artist Margot Bird, the palette is stunning and there is just enough intrigue in the skewed gaze of the elephant to make you do a double take...

art via Margot Bird, elephant head via Cardboard Safari

I'm so excited to see her studio in a few weeks and a series of collaborative works she's been doing at an upcoming show, you should definitely join me if you're in the Seattle area. This girl is raw talent working in a style that is completely her own and unlike anything I have ever seen. I also happened to stumble upon this cardboard elephant head this weekend at Retrofit Home and have not been able to stop thinking about it since. It needs to live my on my wall. Pronto. Hope you had a wonderfully inspired weekend...Enjoy!

Love it / Live [in] it: Colin Pennock + Miles Redd

Happy Friday everyone! You'll have to forgive me for my sparser than usual postings this week, I finally took a whole day off to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and Northwest scenery and spend a little quality time with some of dearest friends in the great outdoors. And after soaking in the lush greenery and deep blue lakes, and roasting marshmallows by a cozy campfire, I am back and more inspired than ever...

And since I'm seeing so much green, thought I'd share a couple inspiring men that use this brilliant color boldly. A stunning painting by artist Colin Pennock and a daring interior by the Miles Redd has me plotting unusual color combos and bold wall decor. I'd leave the bed and throw blanket but love the layered gallery wall and the saturated hues. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get a chance to see some serious green [in nature that is] Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Dripping Sunset [Jen Ament]

One of my absolute favorite things about living in Seattle is connecting with other local creatives and lately I have had the utmost pleasure of working with print maker and painter Jennifer Ament. I'm excited to be doing some graphic work for her, giving her blog a little makeover, and her incredible style and stunning work makes my job very easy...

art by Jennifer Ament, pillow via Furbish Studio

I got to see this gorgeous painting in person and am dreaming of one in blues and greens for my own home. Until I can commission one from her I'll have to get my fix with these silk flame stitch pillows from Furbish Studio, a great way to add a little splash of color to a room don't you think? Enjoy!

Love it/ Live it: Asymmetrical Balance [Victoria Haven]

I'm a routine girl. I function best when my days are well mapped and I can schedule a healthy balance of everything I find important in life. But with this new part-time freelance, part-time job thing, I'm having a little trouble finding that structure. So this week I'm just going to embrace the chaos and find a new kind of balance where although I'm going in a million directions at once, I'm injecting moments into each day to breath, spend time with the ones I love, and enjoy the scenery...

art by Victoria Haven, necklace via iluxo

Victoria Haven's geometric illustrations could not be a better fit for my new mantra. Happy Monday everyone..Enjoy!

Love it/ Live [in] it: Teal Morocco [Shae Acopian Detar]

Happy Friday, friends! I am absolutely thrilled today to begin authoring a column on one of my absolute favorite blogs, Design For Mankind. Erin's beautifully curated display of all things art and design is a constant inspiration and resource for me and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it as a weekly contributor doing what I love...

art by Shae Acopian Detar, interior via Elle Decor

So after soaking up the fluid mixed media work of Shae Acopian Detar (yes definitely worth posting twice!) and the boldly layered interior of Joauad Kadiri, head on over to Design For Mankind for another helping of 'Artful Interiors' brought to you by yours truly. And have a lovely and inspired weekend!

Love it/ Live it: Color Pop [Loretta Bennett]

Today I'm inspired by this seemingly simple yet intriguing work by artist Loretta Bennett. I love the vibrant tonal blues, the play on scale and proportion, and the way the otherwise static shapes seem to flow in and out of each other...

art by Loretta Bennett via Greg Kucera Gallery, blue clutch via Marketa via Strataflora, green clutch via Need Supply

And as I am apparently on the hunt for the perfect clutch lately, these babies are on the top of my list today. I love the pop of color and scale these clutches would bring to any outfit. And of course the gold zipper is a detail I'm especially fond of. Hope you're finding your own vibrant pop of color today, however that may be...Enjoy!

Music + Style: Mod Bohemian [Shannon Eileen]

Meet Shannon Eileen. Creative blogger, talented musician and lover of the great Northwest. Shannon's blog Happiness Is... inspires me on a daily basis and her music truly soothes the soul. Her band, Lorelei's debut full length album is available on itunes and is an absolute must. I'm thrilled to share our little interview with you and a bit more of what makes her tick and gets her creative juices flowing..

What inspires you?

Other people in creative and artistic fields living their dream and doing what they love. Especially if they are sacrificing money and comfort to make it a reality.  

You have $100 to shop, where do you go?

Online shopping makes spending money way too easy! I would probably hit up ASOS, Ruche, ModCloth, Anthro, Free People, or Etsy vintage stores.

How would you describe your style?

Retro, bohemian, feminine, and comfortable. I like to wear at least one vintage item with every outfit. Lately, I've been into blazers, high waist shorts, 70's sundresses, rompers, architectural heels, and gold jewelry.

record player and headphones via urban outfitters, necklace via nallik, dress and shoes via topshop, clutch via sass & bide

If you had to choose a different era to live in which would you choose?

Definitely mid-century for the style and idealism. But for equal human rights, I'm happy being born when I was!

Who are your favorite musical artists?

 Dusty Springfield, Peggy Lee, Sinatra, Sade, Esthero, The Supremes, Maxwell, Si*Se, Jill Scott, Fiona Apple, Common, Radiohead, Pharcyde, Bob Marley, DJ Shadow, Miles Davis, Bill Withers, Portishead, John Coltrane, young Michael Jackson, Amel Larrieux, Gorillaz, Ella Fitzgerald, The Roots, Sam Cooke, Pearl Jam, Tribe Called Quest, Carla Bruni, Sarah Vaughan, young Weezer, D'Angelo, No Doubt, Eva Cassidy, Res, Gnarls Barkley / CeeLo, Prince, Frou Frou, Thievery Corporation, Adele. (Sorry so long - that's a HARD question, and I'm sure I'm leaving so many out!)


Your favorite viusal artists?

 Fantastic Hysteria, Matte Stephens, Blanca Gomez.


And your favorite fashion designers?

Ellie Saab, Stella McCartney, Orla Kiely, Missoni, Bianca Benitez of Dear Creatures.

When your schedule is crazy how do you find your balance?

No matter how busy I get, I try very hard to take time out for myself, whether it's getting more sleep, allowing myself a night off, saying no to people or projects that can wait, shutting off my computer, or just rewarding myself when I feel I deserve it. ME time is very good for the soul.

pendant via 1st dibs, vases via anthropologie, table and pillow via abc home, chair via design within reach

What is your favorite city and why?

Seattle! I grew up in the NW so it will always feel like home to me here.  Not only is the city beautiful, but the people are grounded and down to earth.  Venice / Santa Monica would be a close second, since I lived there after graduating from USC and it's where my man and I met.  International cities are another story all together. I'd choose London, Venice, and Santorini.

When you are up on stage what brings you your calm and confidence?

Being well rehearsed! Also, seeing my loved ones' faces in the audience puts my mind at ease. As soon as I stop thinking about how I'm sounding or how I look, I'm completely at peace, 100% into the music and what it's saying.

Any advice for girls dreaming big?

Persevere. I struggle with this every day, whether to keep pushing towards the goal, or take an easier route in life. In the end, I always revert back to dream, because I wouldn't be happy doing anything else.

What album are you listening to right now?

Esperanza Spalding and her upright bass. That girl is talent.

Where do your lyrics come from, is it personal or just comes when you play?

My songs are usually personal and come from experiences I've had or experiences people close to me have had. However, I'm a private person, so I don't like to get too specific or detailed. I think a little bit of poetic ambiguity is good and allows others to connect and relate with the song. For me, lyrics take time to craft. I don't want people to misunderstand me, and I'm probably way too focused on what other people will think. I sure wish I was the type of songwriter who could make up a song on the spot!


Besides music, what is your creative outlet?

My blog keeps me creative on a daily basis. I'm constantly inspired by the things I discover online and I love sharing that inspiration with others. I also hope to one day open up an Etsy shop with my own artwork... details TBA  ;)

images via Christopher Bachman Photography and Angela Burdine Photography

Love it / Live it: Aaron Farley + Swarm Home

Today I'm inspired by this stunning mixed media work by artist Aaron Farley. It's everything I love all wrapped into one bright moment; blue skies, fluid, painterly greens and even a faint little rainbow. Did I ever mention I was named "Most likely to name my children Rainbow and Sunshine" back in high school?

And if you only knew how long and hard I have searched for a painted chair done as well as this little gem! Sadly I just checked and this particular one is sold out but there is plenty more where it came from over on Poppy Talk Handmade from Swarm Home. What a lovely way to add a little art to an interior...Enjoy!

Love it / Live it: Clutch it Tribal

Happy Monday! Just a quick little post this morning to tell you how much I love all things tribal, especially the organic and geometric African bark cloth...

and how I adore incorporating the look into an outfit like with this great little clutch from Deep Dark Africa...hope your weekend was no less than wonderful, Enjoy!